Collaboration in the Palouse Ground Water Basin

The Palouse Ground Water Basin encompasses portions of northern Idaho and eastern Washington State.  The Basin provides drinking water to over 58,000 residents in Latah County, Idaho and Whitman County, Washington.  The geology of the Basin is comprised of Columbia River Basalts which make up the two main aquifers.  Declining ground-water levels in the lower aquifer of approximately 1.5 feet per year resulted in the establishment of the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC) in 1967.  PBAC consists of members from the major cities, counties, and universities within the Basin.  In addition, the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Washington Department of Ecology are ex officio members of PBAC and work cooperatively.  The mission of PBAC is to ensure a long-term, quality water supply for the Basin.  PBAC funds research at the University of Idaho and Washington State University, which are both located within the Basin.  To fulfill PBAC’s mission a Ground Water Management Plan and an associated Intergovernmental Agreement were enacted in 1992.  The plan and agreement require the pumping entities to report accomplishments, pumpage, and water-level information.  The major cities and the two universities volunteered to limit pumping increases and establish absolute pumping ceilings.  In 2005 a Citizens Advisory Group (CAG) was established to enhance management through dialog among a broader range of interested parties.    The transboundary entities engage in dialogue as well as provide funding for research and administration of the committee.  In addition to conservation measures by the cities and universities, the cities are proactive in enhancing the water resources.  The City of Moscow is funding a surface water feasibility study to supplement ground water, and the City of Pullman is funding an artificial recharge feasibility study.